1 arrested, 1 sought in motorcycle thefts

Alachua County Sheriff's Office booking photos of Daniel Roane and Larry Stone

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – One man was arrested and one is being sought after a spree of motorcycle thefts recently, according to Gainesville police.

Police said they noticed an increase in thefts along Southwest 20th Avenue.

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They said they received information that 21-year-old Daniel Roane was involved in the thefts, and when he was questioned, he admitted to stealing eight motorcycles, police said.

Roane was arrested and charged with eight counts of grand theft auto, eight counts of dealing in stolen property, and eight counts of conspiracy to commit grand theft auto.

Police said they found out 41-year-old Larry Stone was responsible for planning the motorcycle thefts and then making arrangements to sell the stolen motorcycles throughout Florida.

Police said they're currently investigating others involved in the thefts. They said most of the motorcycles stolen from Gainesville have been transported to Lake City or Lakeland, sold for parts and/or exchanged for methamphetamine.

Police said Stone has not been located and currently has three active arrest warrants for grant theft auto, conspiracy, and dealing in stolen property. The warrants each carry a bond of $150,000.

Stone is 5 feet 6 inches tall and 235 pounds. He's known to to travel between Lake City, Haile Plantation and Gainesville.

If you have any information that would help police find him, call Detective Juan DeCastro at 352-393-7665 or Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP.

Police said the group would specifically target Suzuki GSX-R and Honda CBR motorcycles in student apartment complexes.

Roane told investigators that he could successfully start the motorcycles within 30 seconds and simply ride them away. Some were loaded into the bed of a truck or trailer.

Roane also said that if a motorcycle was locked either by chain or disc lock, he would move on to the next target, according to police.

Police said people should make sure their motorcycle is locked in one of these methods to reduce the chances of their motorcycle being stolen.